The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals: An opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations at the General Assembly in September 2015, outlines a transformative vision for economic, social and environmental development and will guide the work of the Organization towards this vision for the next 15 years. This new road map presents a historic opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean, since it addresses some of the region’s most urgent priorities, such as reducing inequality in all its dimensions, promoting inclusive economic growth with decent work for all, creating sustainable cities and addressing climate change. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) associated with the Agenda help the region’s countries to gauge the starting point from which they set out towards this new, collective vision of sustainable development set forth in the 2030 Agenda and to analyse and craft the means of its implementation. The SDGs also represent a planning tool for the countries at the national and local levels. With their long-term approach, they offer support for each country on its path towards sustained, inclusive and environmentally friendly development, through the formulation of public policies and budget, monitoring and evaluation instruments. The 2030 Agenda is a civilizing agenda that places dignity and equality at the centre. At once far-sighted and ambitious, its implementation will require the engagement of all sectors of society and of the State. Accordingly, the representatives of governments, civil society, academic institutions and the private sector are invited to take ownership of this ambitious agenda, to discuss and embrace it as a tool for the creation of inclusive, fair societies that serve the citizens of today as well as future generations.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations at the General Assembly in September 2015, outlines a transformative vision for economic, social and environmental development and will guide the work of the Organization towards this vision for the next 15 years. This new road map presents a historic opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean, since it addresses some of the region’s most urgent priorities, such as reducing inequality in all its dimensions, promoting inclusive economic growth with decent work for all, creating sustainable cities and addressing climate change.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) associated with the Agenda help the region’s countries to gauge the starting point from which they set out towards this new, collective vision of sustainable development set forth in the 2030 Agenda and to analyse and craft the means of its implementation. The SDGs also represent a planning tool for the countries at the national and local levels. With their long-term approach, they offer support for each country on its path towards sustained, inclusive and environmentally friendly development, through the formulation of public policies and budget, monitoring and evaluation instruments. The 2030 Agenda is a civilizing agenda that places dignity and equality at the centre. At once far-sighted and ambitious, its implementation will require the engagement of all sectors of society and of the State.
Accordingly, the representatives of governments, civil society, academic institutions and the private sector are invited to take ownership of this ambitious agenda, to discuss and embrace it as a tool for the creation of inclusive, fair societies that serve the citizens of today as well as future generations.
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Promote sustained, inclusive<br />
<strong>and</strong> sustainable economic<br />
growth, full <strong>and</strong> productive<br />
employment <strong>and</strong> decent work <strong>for</strong> all<br />
Roughly half <strong>the</strong> world’s population still lives on <strong>the</strong> equivalent of about US$2 a day.<br />
<strong>An</strong>d in too many places, having a job doesn’t guarantee <strong>the</strong> ability to escape from<br />
poverty. This slow <strong>and</strong> uneven progress requires us to rethink <strong>and</strong> retool our economic<br />
<strong>and</strong> social policies aimed at eradicating poverty.<br />
A continued lack of decent work opportunities, insufficient investments <strong>and</strong> underconsumption<br />
lead to an erosion of <strong>the</strong> basic social contract underlying democratic<br />
societies: that all must share in progress. <strong>The</strong> creation of quality jobs will remain a<br />
major challenge <strong>for</strong> almost all economies well beyond 2015.<br />
<strong>Sustainable</strong> economic growth will require societies to create <strong>the</strong> conditions that<br />
allow people to have quality jobs that stimulate <strong>the</strong> economy while not harming <strong>the</strong><br />
environment. Job opportunities <strong>and</strong> decent working conditions are also required <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> whole working age population.<br />
Goal 8 targets<br />
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances<br />
<strong>and</strong>, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum<br />
in <strong>the</strong> least developed countries<br />
8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological<br />
upgrading <strong>and</strong> innovation, including through a focus on high-value added <strong>and</strong><br />
labour-intensive sectors<br />
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities,<br />
decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity <strong>and</strong> innovation, <strong>and</strong> encourage<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>malization <strong>and</strong> growth of micro-, small- <strong>and</strong> medium-sized enterprises,<br />
including through access to financial services<br />
8.4 Improve progressively, through <strong>2030</strong>, global resource efficiency in consumption<br />
<strong>and</strong> production <strong>and</strong> endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental<br />
degradation, in accordance with <strong>the</strong> 10-Year Framework of Programmes on<br />
<strong>Sustainable</strong> Consumption <strong>and</strong> Production, with developed countries taking<br />
<strong>the</strong> lead<br />
8.5 By <strong>2030</strong>, achieve full <strong>and</strong> productive employment <strong>and</strong> decent work <strong>for</strong> all women<br />
<strong>and</strong> men, including <strong>for</strong> young people <strong>and</strong> persons with disabilities, <strong>and</strong> equal<br />
pay <strong>for</strong> work of equal value<br />
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